patina

[ pat-n-uh, puh-tee-nuh ]
/ ˈpæt n ə, pəˈti nə /

noun

a film or incrustation, usually green, produced by oxidation on the surface of old bronze and often esteemed as being of ornamental value.
a similar film or coloring appearing gradually on some other substance.
a surface calcification of implements, usually indicating great age.
Also patine [puh-teen] /pəˈtin/.

Origin of patina

1740–50; < Italian: coating < Latin: pan. See paten

Words nearby patina

Example sentences from the Web for patina

British Dictionary definitions for patina (1 of 2)

patina 1
/ (ˈpætɪnə) /

noun plural -nas

a film of oxide formed on the surface of a metal, esp the green oxidation of bronze or copper See also verdigris (def. 1)
any fine layer on a surface a patina of frost
the sheen on a surface that is caused by much handling

Word Origin for patina

C18: from Italian: coating, from Latin: patina ²

British Dictionary definitions for patina (2 of 2)

patina 2
/ (ˈpætɪnə) /

noun plural -nae (-ˌniː)

a broad shallow dish used in ancient Rome

Word Origin for patina

from Latin, from Greek patanē platter